Mopar Tom Hoover Award

[thomas sheehan]

MOPAR'S "2013 Tom Hoover Sportsman Challenger" award update....

I just completed my final "points earning" race yesterday and came up one round short of having a chance to get the trophy, winner's jacket, and the $4,260 check!

Kevin Helms' runner-up in Dallas improved his SS points to 537.
My 5th round red light improved my final points total to 533.

Kevin still has a 51 to improve on at his last points meet.

Ken Etter still has a good chance to make a run with 2 nationals and 3 points meets left. (He has 445 points currently, and has a 30, 40, and 51 to improve on at his points meets)

A big Congrats to the Helms/Teuton clan.... but watch that Etter guy.... he's a tough cookie!

ALSO.... another shout out to MOPAR for offering this special award and cash!
THANK YOU MOPAR!!!!!

[J.R. Schodde 1225]

Hey Tommy! You and Harry had a great points earning season and great year overall! Was hoping you would bring that trophy back to Pittsburgh. Congrats to the winner at the end of the year.

I am hoping Mopar keeps this award going for many years for a couple of reasons. One, is the extra incentive to get Mopar die-hard stockers and super stockers to chase the points. Even if you do not get a national championship, knowing you were the best Mopar driver/car combination and the award that comes with it is quite an accomplishment.

Second, is Tom Hoover. I was fortunate to get to see Mr. Hoover receive a lifetime achievement award at the Mopar awards banquet this year. Listening to his speech about all of his achievements from the development of the Gen 2 and Gen 3 Hemis to the Max Wedge was inspiring. I enjoyed seeing the twinkle in his eye when Tom spoke of his team developing the hyper-pack slant 6 that outran GM and Ford grand national cars at Daytona in the early 60's. His life work and achievements with Mopar deserves to be remembered for many years with this award.

Mr. Hoover said he was getting better every day. He had great energy at the banquet in July and was walking and getting around a lot better. I am hoping that Mr. Hoover will be able to hand out the award personally for many years to come.

J.R.

[jmcarter]

Thanks Tom for posting the points update and it's also great to hear Tom Hoover is still so active and engaged in Mopar after all these years. So many top racers leading the Mopar points does great credit to Mopar and the tradition that Tom Hoover was so instrumental in creating. You're right about Etter, he could very well get on a roll as the West coast events wrap up the year. Of course Kevin's credentials speak for themselves so it will be very interesting to watch how it unfolds.

[Larry Hill]

Austin Williams?

[thomas sheehan]

You are so right Larry.....
Austin Williams (don't know the young man) has a great shot with a few races left and sitting at 529 points.
Thanks for the correction.

[thomas sheehan]

MOPAR'S "2013 Tom Hoover Sportsman Challenger" award update.... (10/8/13)

Here's my unofficial update on who still has a good chance to get the trophy, winner's jacket, and the $4,260 check!

#1) Kevin Helms' runner-up in Dallas improved his SS points to 537.

#2) I ended the year with a points total to 533..... (done earning - no chance - winner gets all! )

#3) Austin Williams is in third with 529 points but has two 30 point races to improve on at the last two LODRS races and a 30 and 94 to improve on at two of the last three nationals.... appears to be the odds on favorite!

#4) Craig Marshall's late season charge leaves him at 461 points (491 if he shows up at Reynolds). Craig can still get a full 105 points at Reynolds this week (gets 30 more for showing up- only his 5th LODRS race). Then he can improve on a 50 at the remaiming Vegas LODRS meet. He can also improve on a 50 at his last national he choses to go to (but it will be way out west!).

#5) Ken Etter still has a good chance to make a run with 2 nationals and 2 points meets left. (He has 456 points currently, and has a 40, and 41 to improve on at his points meets). He can also improve on a 62, and 73 at his last two nationals... Ken is right in the mix!

If I missed anybody... please let me know.

ALSO.... another shout out to MOPAR for offering this special award and cash!
THANK YOU MOPAR!!!!!

PS... Dale Aldo from Mopar told me that he will be fighting to not only bring this award back next year, but to add a second place award!. Next year is the 50th anniversary o fteh HEMI!